Tom Brady inspires man to give kidney to stranger

Posted by Mike Florio on May 29, 2012, 11:47 PM EST

Patriots quarterback Tom Brady tried unsuccessfully to find a kidney for his mentor Tom Martinez, who died earlier this year while awaiting an organ donation. Thanks to Brady’s efforts, however, at least one other person will not perish.

Hughes used the Matching Donors website, promoted by Brady. And Hughes was found to be a match for Asja Bethiel, a mother of two.

“Had it not been for that particular article,” Hughes said in reference to Brady’s effort to find a kidney for Martinez, “I probably wouldn’t have done it.”

It’s an amazingly selfless act. Few would happily give a kidney to a family member; the idea that Hughes would give one to a complete stranger sends a powerful message that, even if it doesn’t prompt many others to do the same, should at least inspire the rest of us to treat each other a little better.

Please make sure that Mr. Hughes receives 99.99% percent of the credit. Tom has had enough smoke blown up his arse.

gronksankle says:May 30, 2012 12:50 AM

Much respect to Brady, he has always been my favorite player for many reasons from his backstory of 199 to how he prepares and performs but this is really great to hear how he is inspiring people to perform such selfless acts, Brady is a total class guy who has earned every thing he has and now is using his platform to do great things I think we can all respect that

As a kidney donor, (to a step parent) I congratulate Mr. Hughes. I hope more people realize that life after donation is exactly the same as before the surgery and consider giving this gift to someone they love or to a stranger.

Tom,
First off, my condolences on the loss of Tom Martinez, may he RIP ALWAYS.
“It’s an amazingly selfless act” pretty much summarizes the story as a whole. This man is practically an unknown superman by giving up one of his organs, much less to a complete stranger. If this man is willing to do that much, then being a little nicer should come effortless, right?? Unfortunately not, but these stories warrant that there still are amazing people out there. Football aside, Tom is doing it ALL & definitely deserves to be one of very few NFL icon’s in the professional world of sports. I comment TOM Brady on what he has assembled, when he could simply be at home grieving over his loss much like most people would, but NO, he’s out there making a difference in today’s society. Thanks again

Seeing some of the hateful, jaded remarks on here for an article such as this is eye-opening. When did you stop being humans and start being trolls? Truly pathetic.

As for the article….. Peter Hughes did a very courageous thing. That truly makes you proud to be a human being when you hear about things like this. As always Florio I thank you for stories such as these that highlight the goodness in people and a thank you to Tom Brady as well for getting awareness out there.

When i hear something like this, it restores (for a little while) my “faith in mankind.” My hat goes off to this gentleman. Donating a kidney is a HUGE sacrifice/gift. Our bodies can function quite well with 1 kidney…but if God-forbid something happens to your 1 remaining kidney, you are up a creek with no paddle. Then you’re on dialysis waiting for a kidney transplant of your own. I’d give up a kidney for a family member or very close friend, but I just can’t see myself doing it for a complete stranger. God bless this man for the amazing, selfless gift of life.

It’s truly amazing to see what we can do as a civilized society, when we come together to help one another out.

As for registering…winskins…if you are already set up when you register your license and have the organ donor option selected and is on your license? Are you all set – is the registration to the program on your license the same as to the site?

I just don’t want to possibly confuse the system registering twice or something like that. Great link.

Well done Mr. Hughes… Though, you could have saved yourself that kidney had you gone to a different QB in the AFC East for inspiration… He could have shown you how to “lay hands” on Asja Bethiel’s back, and heal her through the power of Christ.

jjbadd says:May 30, 2012 9:42 AM

I think that’s cool. But check this out..I know everyone has saw that movie JohnQ….until my son was born, I always wondered if that whole premise was believable. But I have since discovered, I would give my son my beating heart without a second thought. But its sad to me, that some fathers wouldn’t donate anything to their children. Just saying..good gesture from this person.

rc33 says:May 30, 2012 9:52 AM

Neftali Ramos says: May 30, 2012 2:46 AM

Makes me wonder if Brady will give up one of his kidneys to walk the walk.
————————————
Soon as you fork over one of your kidney’s as well, schleprock.
Smarmy cynicism is tiresome.
At least he’s contributing, as one mother of two would certainly insist.
What’ve you done for anyone lately?

pack4ever says:
May 30, 2012 2:57 AM
It doesn’t matter who you are, or what team you like, this is such a selfless act and shows that there is still integrity in this league.

===================================

I’m sorry, was Brady the one who gave up the kidney???

Let’s not get confused as to who the REAL hero is here people.

13andmoretocome says:May 30, 2012 10:05 AM

ytsejamer1- Registering to be a donor on the website cannot be challenged by family upon your passing, unlike the driver’s license system. The two “systems” do not talk to one another, but you really can’t go wrong either way.

ytsejamer1 says:
May 30, 2012 8:45 AM
It’s truly amazing to see what we can do as a civilized society, when we come together to help one another out.

As for registering…winskins…if you are already set up when you register your license and have the organ donor option selected and is on your license? Are you all set – is the registration to the program on your license the same as to the site?

I just don’t want to possibly confuse the system registering twice or something like that. Great link.

I have a kid with one kidney. Can’t really expose him to physical sports like football because of high risk of injury.

Seems like a no brainer that Brady wouldn’t give his kidney, and I really can’t believe the comments here.

Thanks to PFT for promoting this issue.

jolink653 says:May 30, 2012 10:50 AM

tom brady’s search for a kidney was what prompted peter hughes to give his up to someone who really needed it…how can you idiots not give brady any credit for that? sure most of the credit should go to mr hughes but he even said he never would have done it if he hadn’t seen brady’s efforts to get one for his mentor…maybe everyone criticizing him should go give up a kidney and then come back and talk

You effing patriots fan. Brady does not walk on water, he is not the second coming. Besides, the QB in KC proved it is the system, not the QB that makes the patriots go.

Brady does deserve credit for this act of compassion.
.01% goes to Tom
99.99% goes to the REAL hero.

You chowds are hilarious. Send him across town, maybe he can inspire someone to donate some offense/pitching to the red sox…

flash1283 says:May 30, 2012 11:31 AM

mullman7675 says: May 30, 2012 11:15 AM

You effing patriots fan. Brady does not walk on water, he is not the second coming. Besides, the QB in KC proved it is the system, not the QB that makes the patriots go.

—
This is always such a STUPID argument!!

Ask yourself a question, genius.

1. If its just the “system” because “The QB in KC” had 1 decent season, then why not keep him?
He is younger than Brady, he WASN’T coming off major knee surgery and they could have had him for a lot less money?

Stop being a hater and put your big boy pants on.

You don’t have to like him for whatever lame reason you have, but don’t try to diminish all his success based on 1 decent season.

mrconnors says:May 30, 2012 11:40 AM

It’s amazing how the Patriots ever win a game, according to people like Mullman. Brady is a system QB. Belichick is only a good coach because he has that system QB.

Welker is only a good player because he has the system QB throwing to him, does that make him a system system WR?

No defense, no running game, system QB, overrated Coach. And they’re still going 13-3 and 14-2. Imagine if they had somebody decent.

lifesharers says:May 30, 2012 12:32 PM

The generosity of live organ donors is wonderful. It’s a shame we need so many live organ donors. Americans bury or cremate 20,000 transplantable organs every year.

There is another good way to put a big dent in the organ shortage — if you don’t agree to donate your organs when you die, then you go to the back of the waiting list if you ever need an organ to live.

Giving organs first to organ donors will convince more people to register as organ donors. It will also make the organ allocation system fairer. About 50% of the organs transplanted in the United States go to people who haven’t agreed to donate their own organs when they die.

Anyone who wants to donate their organs to others who have agreed to donate theirs can join LifeSharers. LifeSharers is a non-profit network of organ donors who agree to offer their organs first to other organ donors when they die. Membership is free at http://www.lifesharers.org or by calling 1-888-ORGAN88. There is no age limit, parents can enroll their minor children, and no one is excluded due to any pre-existing medical condition. LifeSharers has over 15,000 members, including 288 members in Massachusetts.

Please contact me if your readers would like to learn more about our innovative approach to increasing the number of organ donors. I can arrange interviews with some of our local members if you’re interested. Please let me know if you have any questions. David J. Undis, Executive Director of LifeSharers at http://www.lifesharers.org 6509 Cornwall Drive Nashville, TN 37205 phone 615-351-8622.

CKL says:May 30, 2012 2:19 PM

Yes the credit goes to Mr Hughes, and a very selfless & brave man he is.

Ya know something else? Only very small ppl have to hate on their opponents. I am proud to be a fan of Brady and the classiest organization and owner – in the Pats and Robert Kraft. BTW; I’ve heard that from lots of ppl around the league- NOT from Pats fans!!! But anyway.. I was SO proud of Drew Brees for all he did for New Orleans after Katrina. I suppose these hater wankers would slam Brees as well if he wasn’t their QB. Sad. Sucks to be them.